Lift



March 6, 1934. A JACKSON ET AL 1,949,718

LIFT

Filed Sept. 8, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS.

\ ALEX/S JACKSON 6 OSCAR L. TENNA 7'.

ATTORNEYS.

March 6, 1934. A. JACKSON El AL LIFT Filed Sept. 8, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORST ALEX/S JACKSON 8 OSCAR L. TENNANT. W MM A TTORNE YS.

Patented Mar. 6,-1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 LIFT ration of California Application September 8, 1931, Serial No. 561,570

12 Claims. (01. 254-3) Our invention relates to lifts, and particularly to a portable lift capable of being operated b fluid pressure.

An important object of our invention is the provision of a lift, which can be used around garages for lifting the ends of vehicles, such as automobiles, and which can be operated by pneumatic pressure obtained from a source commonly employed for inflating automobile tires.

Another object of our invention is the provision of a lift, which is light and readily portable, so that it can be moved about, from place to place with ease.

Another object of our invention is the prolzl vision of'a lift, which is composed of few and simple parts, and which can be economically manufactured.

Another object of our invention is to provide a lift, of the character described, which is stable under a load, regardless of unevenness of the floor upon which the lift may rest. I

A further object of our invention is the provision, in a device of the character described, of supporting means which is particularly adapted for holding either the front or rear axle of a vehicle, such as an automobile, with facility and stability.

Additional objects and advantages of our invention will be apparent from a perusal of the following description forming part of the specification.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevational view of the lift of our invention. A portion of the structure is omitted from the view to disclose clearly the construction; and a part of the structure is shown in dotted, lines to illustrate a reversed position thereof.

Figure 2 is also a side elevational view of the lift, illustrating the lifting arm in a plurality of different positions, one of which is indicated by dotted lines.

Figure 3 is a sectional plan view of the lift, taken in a plane indicated by line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4.- is a sectional view of the lift, taken in a plane indicated by 4--4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a front end elevational view of the lift, which illustrates, in dotted lines, the manner in which a forked support is utilized for elevating the rear axle end of an automobile.

Broadly, the lift of our invention comprises a carriage upon which is movably mounted a lifting arm to effect elevation of the object lifted. Fluid operable means, including a piston and cylinder mountedfor relative sliding movement, is connected to the arm and frame to cause elevation of the arm upon application of fluid pressure, such as air pressure. The carriage or frame is preferably of triangular shape to provide three points of support therefor upon the floor. This lends stability to the structure when the lifting arm is elevated under a load, particularly if the floor upon which the carriage rests happens to be rough or 'wavey, as frequently occurs with U6 respect to cement or concretegarage floors.

Since our lift is applicable for elevating the ends of automobiles, we employ at the free end I of the lifting arm means particularly adapted for supporting the vehicle on either the front or 70 rear axle. This means, preferably, comprises a forked support journaled adjacent the free end of the lifting arm, and curved brackets mounted for reverse positioning adjacent the ends of the fork.

With reference to the preferred embodiment of our invention, our lift comprises a carriage of triangular shape including the spaced frame members 1. Adjacent the rear end of the carriage is connected an axle 2, upon the ends of which are journaled rollers 3. The front ends of the frame members 1 converge and are connected by the axle 4, upon which is journaled the roller 6, positioned between the frame members 1 and half way between the pair of rollers 3. Pivotally connected to the carriage, adjacent the rollers 3 and between the frame members 1, are the lifting arms 7, mounted on the rod 8 journaled on the carriage. The lifting arms also converge toward the front of the carriage, and are joined together, at their free ends, by the block 9. H

Means (preferably pneumatic, which is most convenient and economical due to the common presence thereof in garages and service stations where our device finds great applicability) is provided for elevating the lifting arm to any desired position. This means comprises a piston 11, which includes a head and supporting wall, mounted for pivotal or rocking movement on the carriage, by means of the rod 12 journaled in the frame members 1. Slidable on the piston is a cylinder 13 mounted on the pin 14, which extends thru the elongated slots 16 diametrically positioned in the supporting or side wall of the 5 piston. The pin 14 is journaled in the lifting arms 7, thus allowing rocking or pivotal movement of the cylinder relative to the lifting arm, when fluid pressure is applied to the piston to effect elevation of the lifting arm. It is apparent 13c that pin 14 cooperates with the upper ends of slots 16 to limit upward movement of cylinder 13; and the slots are of such length as to prevent the lifting arm from being elevated above dead center, thus permitting ready lowering of the lifting arm under a load when so desired. Since pin 14 extends all the way through the piston 11 and contacts with the side walls of slots 16,

' 18 having the air inlet 19 and the outlet 21 is positioned in the pipe 17. The inlet 19 is preferably of the type commonly employed on automobile tires, so that air lines generally in garages and similar places may be applied thereto to cause elevation of the lifting arm. By turning the handle 22 of the outlet 21, air pressure in the cylinder can be reduced to cause lowering of the lifting arm to any desired position. A pressure gauge 23 is preferably connected to the cylinder; and a friction washer 24 of leather or similar material is mounted upon the end of piston 11, to make the structure air-tight.

Adjacent the free end of the lifting arm, we preferably employ a supporting structure which is'particularly adapted for supporting an automobile at either the front or the rear end, to be lifted. This structure comprises a curved fork or yoke, 26, extending transversely of the lifting arm and journaled on the stud 27 mounted in the block 9. The ends 28 of the fork 26 are turned to extend forward, and carry the brackets 29 which are formed in the shape of a curve, preferably that greater than a semi-circle. The curved brackets makes them especially adapted for holding the axle 31 of an automobile; and as illustrated by Figure 2, the brackets will allow sliding of the axle therein, as the vehicle is lifted, and thereby provide a firm support regardless of the degree of elevation of the vehicle.

When it is desired to lift the front of an automobile, the fork 26 is positioned with, the ends downward. However, if the rear of the vehicle is to be elevated, the fork is turned by hand 180 on the stud 27, so that the ends are upward, thus allowing a space 32 to accommodate the differential 33, as seen from Figure 5. The forked support 26, not only performs the function described, but also permits a gain in elevation when the ends thereof are positioned upward; and since the rear axle of an automobile is considerably higherthan the front axle, this gain in elevation saves time and labor inlifting the rear of the vehicle. The weight of the vehicle, when being lifted, will prevent turning of the fork 26 about its ioumal.

rackets 29 are removable from the ends 28 of fork 26, so that they can be reversely positioned, on thecorrect side of the ends, depending upon the position of fork. Preferably the brackets are provided with rectangular shaped shanks 34 adapted to fit in similarly shaped holes 36 in the fork, to prevent turning movement thereof.

From the preceding description it is seen that we have provided a lift which is simple in construction and economical to manufacture. Its portability enables it to be moved about readily from"'place to place, as may be necessary;

and for this purpose, the lift may be provided with a handle (not shown) connected thereto at any convenient point, if so desired. It is also apparent that any suitable material, preferably steel or a imilar metal, can be employed for making the device. Although we have described the lift, with respect to the preferred embodiment, as being particularly adapted for elevating automobiles, it is apparent that it can be employed for elevating other devices and in other forms, within the scope of the following which we claim as our invention.

We claim:

l. A lift comprising a carriage, a lifting arm pivotally connected to said carriage, a piston mounted for rocking movement on said carriage and having a slot in the supporting wall thereof, a pin mounted on said arm and extending into the slot, a cylinder mounted on said pin and slidable on said piston, said cylinder being mounted for movement relative to the arm, and means whereby movement of said cylinder on the piston can be effected by fluid pressure.

2. A portable pneumatic lift comprising a movably mounted carriage having a pair of spaced frame members, a pair of spaced and connected lifting arms pivotally connected to said members, a piston positioned between said arms and supported for rocking movement on said frame members, said piston having a pair of elongated slots diametrically positioned in the side supporting means thereof, a pin mounted on said arms and extending through said slots, a cylinder mounted on said pin and slidable on said piston, said cylinder being mounted for movement relative to the arm, and an air valve on said cylinder whereby air under pressure can be introduced into the cylinder to effect lifting of said arms.

3. A lift comprising a carriage, a lifting arm movably connected to said carriage, a forked support for the object to be lifted journaled for movement about an axis extending substantially longitudinally of the arm and positioned adjacent the free endof said arm, and means for elevating said arm.

4. A lift comprising a carriage, a lifting arm movably connected to said carriage, a forked support for the object to be lifted journaled for movement about an axis extending substantially longitudinally of the arm and positioned adjacent the free end of said arm, a pair of curved brackets adapted to hold the object lifted insecure position regardless of the position of said arm, said brackets being mounted for reverse-positioning adjacent the ends of said forked support, and means for elevating said arm.

5. A lift comprising a frame, a lifting arm movably connected to said frame, a cylinder member, a piston member in said cylinder and mounted for slidable movement relative thereto, one of said members being mounted for rocking movement on said frame, the other of said members having a portion extending above said arm and being connected adjacent the lower end thereof to said arm, and means for effecting relative movement between said cylinder and piston by fluid introduced above the member mounted for rocking movement and above said arm.

6. A lift comprising a frame, a lifting arm movably connected to said frame, a piston mounted for rocking movement on said frame, a

arm, and means for effecting relative movement between said cylinder and piston by introduction of fluid into said cylinder and-above said connection between the arm and the cylinder.

7. A lift comprising a frame, a lifting arm pivotally connected to said frame, a piston mounted for rocking movement on said frame, a cylinder slidable over said piston, means forming a pivotal connection between the arm and the cylinder adjacent the lower end of the cylinder, and means whereby movement of said cylinder over said piston can be efiected by fluid pressure.

8. A lift comprising a frame, a lifting arm pivotally connected to said frame, a piston mounted for rocking movement on said frame, a cylinder slidable over said piston, means forming a pivotal connection between the arm and the cylinder adjacent the lower end of the cylinder, said means including a reinforcing pin connected to the arm for engaging the piston and slidable therealong, and means whereby movement of said cylinder over the piston can be effected by fluid pressure.

9. A lift comprising a frame, a lifting arm movably connected to said frame, a piston mounted for rocking movement on said frame and including a supporting member having a slot therein,

a pin connected to said arm and extending into said slot, a cylinder slidable over said piston and connected to said arm for movement relative thereto, and means whereby movement of said cylinder with respect to the piston can be effected by fluid pressure.

10. A lift comprising a frame, a lifting arm movably connected to said frame, a piston mounted for rocking movement on said frame and including a supporting member having a slot therein, a pin connected to said arm and extending into said slot, a cylinder slidable over said piston and connected to mid arm for pivotal movement about the axis of said pin, and means whereby movement of said cylinder with respect to the piston can be effected by fluid pressure.

M. A portable pneumatic lift comprising a movably mounted carriage having a pair of spaced frame members, a pair of spaced and connected lifting arms pivotally connected to said members, a piston positioned between said arms and supported for rocking movement on said frame members, said piston including supporting means having a pair of elongated slots diametrically opposed, a pin connected to said arms and extending through said slots, a cylinder mounted on said pin and slidable over said piston, said cylinder being mounted for movement relative to the arm, and means whereby movement of said cylinder with respect to the piston can be effected by fluid pressure.

12. An air lift comprising a carriage, a lifting arm pivotally connected to said carriage, a piston mounted for rocking movement on said carriage adjacent the point of connection of the lifting arm to said carriage, the head of said piston being positioned above said arm, a cylinder slidable over said piston and movably connected to said arm adjacent the bottom of said cylinder, and means whereby movement of said cylinder can be effected by air pressure, said means including valve means on said cylinder for detachable connection to an exterior source of air pressure whereby air can be introduced into the cylinder to effect lifting of said arm, and whereby air can be allowed to escape from the cylinder into the atmosphere to allow lowering of said arm.

ALEXIS JACKSON. OSCAR L. TENNANT.

Nil) 

